About Ruah Woods

HEARING A CALL

Everyday reality reminds us that our culture is under relentless attack and in need of healing renewal. The Church is uniquely equipped to address these wounds of our world. Pope John Paul II called us to engage in a “New Evangelization”, a reproposal of the Gospel, which will fundamentally reawaken and revitalize the life in Christ for all Christians – so all may live in the TRUTH of a culture of LIFE and a civilization of LOVE.

It is for this time and this mission that Ruah Woods was established. Our work has confirmed that The Theology of the Body is the fresh perspective which announces and proclaims the Gospel for the New Evangelization in a new way that can speak boldly to today’s culture. Encountering this teaching through formation, restoration and adoration is changing lives in stunning ways.

Ruah Woods is where the truth of our identity in Christ is reignited.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COME INTO THE LIGHT. AND BECOME THE LIGHT.

WHAT WE DO

Ruah Woods a “first of its kind” Theology of the Body education center located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Every day we bring this profound teaching to life through onsite and offsite classes, conducting retreats and discipleship programs, hosting renowned speakers, providing psychological services for people who are hurting and authoring curriculum for our schools. We’ve been at this labor of love since 2009. Our verdant campus and growing body of on-fire disciples of Christ is testimony to the beauty of this teaching and this mission.

RUAH WOODS MISSION

Ruah Woods helps men and women live their vocation to love,
according to God’s plan,
as informed by the Theology of the Body.

As a result, Disciples are identified,
Evangelizers are equipped
And Catholic Leaders developed
to transform the culture to a civilization of life and love.

THEOLOGY OF THE BODY

The Theology of the Body refers to a series of 129 lectures given by Pope John Paul II during his Wednesday audiences in Rome between September 1979 and November 1984. These addresses were later compiled and published as a single work entitled The Theology of the Body According to John Paul II. The Theology of the Body covers such topics as the bodily dimension of the human person, the nature of human sexuality, the human need for communion, and the nature of marriage.

Christ’s mission, according to the spousal analogy of the Scriptures, is to “marry” us. He invites us to live with him in an eternal life-giving union of love. This is what the union of the sexes is meant to proclaim and foreshadow – the eternal union of Christ and the Church. As St. Paul says, quoting from Genesis:

“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, and I mean in reference to Christ and the church. (Eph 5:31-32)

By helping us understand this profound interconnection between sex and the Christian mystery, John Paul II’s Theology of the Body not only paves the way for lasting renewal of marriage and the family; it enables everyone to rediscover “the meaning of the whole of existence, the meaning of life.” (Oct 29, 1980)

John Paul II’s Theology of the Body is especially important for our culture today which is permeated by messages that challenge faith and encourage permissive attitudes. The Theology of the Body is a new understanding of the human person that takes one beyond the “thou shall nots” often associated with Christianity to a fresh, new approach to the gift of love and human sexuality. As John Paul II says, “Love demands a personal commitment to the will of God.” (Oct 1, 1979)

THE CAMPUS

Ruah Woods is located in a quiet corner of Western Hills surrounded by God’s creation – brook, meadow, woods and birdcall. It has become a perfect place to “get away” for many allied groups to recollect, strategize and reflect on their own place in the New Evangelization. We welcome such organizations as Cincinnati Right to Life, Retrouvaille, Couple to Couple League, Serra Club and many others to do just that by sharing our campus. To inquire about using our facilities for your group, contact us here.